What Do I Need To Know Before Driving On The Highway?
Making the jump from driving on local roads to highway driving can be scary when you’re learning to drive. But LTrent Driving School is here to help. Read on to learn a few tips about highway driving, or book a driving lesson online to get the in-person instruction you need to start driving on the highway with confidence.
1. Know How To Safely Enter The Highway
Merging onto the highway is often the most frightening part of driving on highways for the first time. To safely merge, follow these steps:
- Build up speed as you enter the ramp to match the speed of highway traffic
- Use your indicators to signal that you are trying to merge
- Check your blind spot and mirrors to identify a gap in traffic
- Merge smoothly into the flow of traffic
This will take some practice. You may want to find a low-traffic exit and entrance ramp and practice merging for a little while to ensure you know how to enter the highway safely.
2. Indicators Are The Key To Communicate With Other Drivers
Always use your indicators. Indicating that you’re merging or switching lanes lets you communicate with other drivers, ensuring they understand what you’re about to do and prepare accordingly.
3. Avoid Driving In The Right Lane Except For Passing
Staying in the right lane is not a good idea. On a multi-lane highway, this is usually the overtaking lane, so unless you’re actively overtaking a driver, you should stay in the left lane. This helps maintain traffic flow.
4. Check Your Blind Spot And Check Your Mirrors Whenever You Merge Or Change Lanes
Whenever you’re about to merge onto the highway or you’re changing lanes, you need to check your side mirrors, your rearview mirror, and your blind spot. Checking your mirror and blind spot ensures you are fully aware of all of the other vehicles on the road.
5. Maintain 3 Seconds Of Distance Between Your Car And The Vehicle In Front Of You
You need to maintain at least 3 seconds of distance between your car and the car in front of you. This ensures that if they brake suddenly or take another unexpected action, you’ll have enough time to react and avoid an accident.
6. Be Aware Of Road Conditions And Your Driving Environment
Make sure you know the speed limits on your stretch of highway – and make sure to adjust to road conditions and weather conditions, too. For example, in heavy fog, you should slow down, since visibility will be poor. Or in heavy rain, slow down and keep more distance between yourself and the car ahead of you, since braking will not be as effective as it would be on a dry road.
Get The Lessons You Need To Drive Safely On The Highway At LTrent Driving School
At LTrent Driving School, we’re ready to assist learner drivers as they learn how to drive safely on the highway. If you’re struggling with safe highway driving, book our Safer Drivers Course now to get the expert instruction you need.